Chile, Japan free trade agreement
Prensa Latina, Cuba
Chile, Japan Free Trade Agreement
22 September 2006
Tokyo, Sep 22 (Prensa Latina) Chile and Japan have negotiated a free trade agreement that among other facilities will sever bilateral exchange tariffs by 92 percent.
The negotiations officially started in February with the last such sessions among trade experts on September 13 to be signed and implemented in 2007.
Chile is the 6th country to sign a free trade agreement with Japan, following Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. A previous accord with China will be enforced October 1.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in a written statement that the agreement will secure Japanese supplies of raw materials like copper, plus natural staples such as wine, salmon, beef, pig and chicken.
Official sources said 99.8 percent of Japanese shipments to Chile will be tax-free and likewise for 90.5 percent Chilean products to Japan for 10 years.
